For a true car enthusiast, going over five years without a new vehicle is quite a stretch. It becomes even more remarkable when your only car is already 17 years old, with engineering roots tracing back three decades to a time when Italian automotive reliability wasn’t exactly its strong suit. Yet, that was my situation until I decided it was finally the perfect moment to acquire a new sports car. Credit is due to Elaina – my Alfa Romeo – which surprisingly turned out to be the second most dependable car I’ve ever owned (trailing only a brand-new, warrantied BMW Z3 during my ownership). Elaina endured for years, even surviving rigorous trials like the Great American Western Road Trip.
But why buy a car when the stock market was plummeting, unemployment was soaring, and securing financing was as challenging as finding a celebrity willing to forgo the spotlight? Well, for those fortunate enough with savings and able to pay in cash, opportunities arose. Furthermore, I was likely the only person north of Cuba seeking a convertible in December. These conditions placed me in a very advantageous position as a buyer.
The challenge, however, was locating my desired car in December. Sports cars, especially high-end models, are not abundant in Colorado. My solution was to search in the San Francisco Bay Area during my winter vacation, a region where such cars are far more common. I examined and test drove three vehicles, and after some assertive negotiation on the best option, I drove away with a nearly new 2001 Audi Tt Convertible Quattro. With only 68,250 miles on the odometer, I secured it for almost 20% below the Kelly Blue Book value. The car had only one previous owner—a “grandma in Marin” who must have been an athlete, judging by the OWRC parking sticker on the windshield—though I purchased it from an auto broker in San Jose.
After several weeks of ownership, including a 1,150-mile journey from California to Colorado through frigid -16°F temperatures, I can confidently say I’m enamored with this car. I’ve named her Teeter.
Initially, Teeter feels like a blend of every sports car I’ve previously owned. The stylish and refined interior, adorned with simple, circular designs and metallic accents, evokes memories of my ’74 MGB, albeit with a more modern and sophisticated flair. The deep, mellow exhaust note carries undertones reminiscent of Goldie’s (my ’69 MGB), albeit at half the volume. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers roughly the same power (and turbo lag!) as the Porsche 944 Turbo (225 hp vs. 217 hp), yet with a compact 1.8-liter displacement, mirroring that of the MGs. Her ride quality, handling, and exceptionally precise short-throw shifter are as contemporary as the BMW Z3, complemented by modern features such as a power top, side airbags, and roll hoops behind the headrests.
However, the 2001 Audi TT Convertible also boasts numerous features absent in my previous cars. These include:
- All-Wheel Drive: Unlike my previous rear-wheel-drive cars, the Quattro system, while adding 300 pounds, is invaluable in challenging weather conditions and enhances overall handling.
- Heated Seats: A crucial feature for me, given my penchant for driving with the top down even in winter. The luxury of heated seats is undeniable.
- Six-Speed Transmission: This improves acceleration and boosts fuel efficiency. Despite having Quattro and 45 more horsepower than the base TT Roadster, fuel economy is only marginally lower (18/26 mpg city/highway vs. 19/27 mpg). The factory 0-60 mph acceleration time of 6.7 seconds is quicker than any car I’ve owned, except for the Porsche.
- Glass Rear Window: Durable and clear, eliminating concerns about creasing, discoloration, or shattering. It also includes an electric rear defroster.
- Power Glass Rear Windscreen: Significantly reduces cockpit drafts. With the rear windscreen and side windows raised, wind buffeting is far superior to any other convertible I’ve owned.
- Automatic Climate Control: The heater and defroster (and presumably the air conditioning, though untested in winter) make the climate controls in my MGs or Alfa Romeo seem positively Stone Age.
- Audi Concert Premium Audio System: A 175-watt system with powerful bass and a six-disc CD changer (plus a cassette player, likely unused). The sound quality surpasses the BMW Z3’s system (which blew its subwoofer at high volume, though it was replaced under warranty). Teeter is the first car that brings music close to my home audio setup quality, rivaling even the Shaker 500 system in the Ford Mustang I drove in New England.
- Navigation System: An early system, predating touchscreen interfaces. Its monochrome LED display shows directional arrows within the gauge cluster, not a detailed dash screen. It uses CD-based data (last updated in 2003), but it’s still a useful feature, especially when I prefer not to carry my Garmin.
- Trip Computer: Displays average speed, mpg, and estimated remaining range. The instantaneous gas mileage display is particularly helpful, encouraging more efficient driving.
- Keyless Entry: Standard in most rental cars, but a first for my personal vehicles.
- Interior Radar System: An alarm system that activates upon intrusion when the top is down and the car is locked.
- Convertible Top Well Sensor: Alerts the driver if something obstructs the convertible top when attempting to lower it.
- Tilt and Telescoping Steering Wheel: Allows for a customized driving position. I’ve set Teeter up for a more British-style driving position compared to the Italian style in the Alfa.
- Height-Adjustable Seats: I keep the driver’s seat high, allowing me to comfortably rest my left arm on the door when the top is down, a welcome change from feeling like I’m sitting on the floor in my other roadsters.
- Seat-Deployed Side Airbags: Unlike the door-mounted airbags in the Z3.
- Xenon Headlamps: Similar bright headlights to those in the BMW.
- Heated Mirrors: A feature possibly also on my Porsche 944 Turbo, but likely not on my BMW Z3.
- Cupholders!
Regarding luggage capacity, the 2001 Audi TT Convertible ranks above the Z3 but below the Porsche 944, Alfa Romeo Spider, and MGBs. Actually, its trunk is nearly as spacious as the Alfa’s and larger than the MGs’:
However, like the Z3, there’s minimal space behind the seats, except for a shallow area beneath the convertible top when raised—useful, but then the top can’t be lowered. There are also a few interior cubby holes, absent in my previous cars, adding to the practical storage.
For transporting a bicycle, I plan to install a hitch or license plate-mounted rack. For longer distances, renting a car remains my preferred method for bike transport, preserving the Audi TT from unnecessary wear and tear.
Finally, fuel economy. The EPA rating is 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Before resetting the trip computer, I noted the previous owner’s data (“grandma from Marin”):
Average mpg: 21.9 mpg
Average speed: 23.6 mph
Hours driven: 99:59h (presumably never reset and maxed out)
Initially, 21.9 mpg seemed disappointing (my friend’s SUV almost matches that!), but I was confident I could improve it. On the drive from California to Colorado, I recorded the following mileage:
San Jose -> Sparks, NV: 26.9 mpg
Sparks, NV -> Wells, NV: 24.8 mpg (trip computer: 26.0 mpg)
Wells, NV -> Evanston, WY: 25.4 mpg
Evanston, WY -> Laramie, WY: 27.6 mpg
These figures (25-27 mpg) were still somewhat underwhelming, but I was driving in very cold conditions (with snow increasing rolling resistance) and at speeds of 75-80 mph. I was also using cruise control, mistakenly believing it would enhance fuel economy. In reality, cruise control can reduce mpg, particularly on hilly terrain, compared to careful throttle modulation (e.g., allowing slight speed variations on inclines and declines).
Bearing this in mind, I conducted another test on a round trip to Denver International Airport from Fort Collins, including about 20% city driving. With careful gas pedal control, judicious coasting, and avoiding excessive speed, the trip computer recorded an astonishing 33.4 mpg over approximately 200 miles. This surpasses even my Alfa Romeo’s typical 30-32 mpg (though I once achieved 36 mpg on a segment of the Great American Western Road Trip). Remarkable, considering the Audi TT engine’s nearly double horsepower output.
[February 14, 2009 Sat: Driving to the Big South Trail and back, Teeter achieved an even better 34.3 mpg over about 120 miles according to the trip computer!]
What has already become my favorite car of all time is also proving to be one of the more environmentally considerate. It’s highly likely Teeter will remain with me for another five years at least.
Custom Plates
February 25, 2009 (Wed): Teeter inherited the custom Colorado plates from Elaina.
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